iPhone to iPhone Charging: How to Share Battery Power (and When You Can’t)
Imagine this: you’re out and about, your iPhone’s battery is dangerously low, and there isn’t a power outlet in sight. Luckily, your friend has a fully charged iPhone. Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could just siphon some power from their phone? Well, the reality is a bit more nuanced than that, but let’s dive into the details of charging an iPhone with another iPhone.
The Short Answer: It’s Complicated (and Mostly No)
Unfortunately, directly charging an iPhone with another iPhone using a simple cable is not possible. iPhones are designed to receive power, not to output it through their Lightning or USB-C port (depending on the model). You can’t just plug one iPhone into another and expect to transfer charge.
The Reality: Why Direct Charging Doesn’t Work
The issue lies in the way iPhones are designed. The Lightning or USB-C port on an iPhone is primarily an input port. This means it’s configured to receive power to charge the battery, not to send power outwards to another device. There isn’t a native reverse charging functionality built into iPhones that would allow them to become a power source.
The Workaround: Using a Power Bank (the Most Reliable Option)
Instead of directly transferring power, the most reliable way to charge one iPhone with another is indirectly. You can use the other iPhone as a power source for an external power bank or battery pack, which then charges the depleted phone.
Here’s how this process generally works:
- Connect a Power Bank to the Charging iPhone: Use a USB-A to Lightning cable (or USB-C to USB-C for newer models) to connect the power bank to the iPhone with the sufficient battery charge.
- Charge the Power Bank: The charging iPhone will now charge the external power bank with its stored energy. Depending on the capacity of the power bank, this process can take some time.
- Connect the Power Bank to the Depleted iPhone: Once the power bank has sufficient charge, disconnect it from the charged iPhone. Then, using the correct cable, connect the power bank to the iPhone with the low battery.
- Charge the Depleted iPhone: The power bank will now transfer its stored energy to the low-battery iPhone, charging it to a usable level.
The (Rare) Exception: Accessories That Might Work (But Are Not Common)
While direct iPhone-to-iPhone charging is not a standard feature, some third-party accessories exist that might theoretically allow it. These usually involve a special adapter with circuitry that attempts to convert one phone’s power output into a form suitable for another phone’s input. However, these are:
- Unreliable: Their effectiveness is not guaranteed, and they may not work with all iPhone models.
- Not officially supported by Apple: Using such accessories could potentially cause damage to your devices.
- Not readily available: They aren’t common and can be hard to find.
Why You Should Avoid Shady Solutions
Trying to circumvent the iPhone’s charging design with unproven methods can be risky. It can potentially damage the battery or charging circuitry of either device. It’s always best to rely on methods that are officially supported and designed to work safely. Stick to using power banks, wall chargers, or certified charging accessories.
Key Takeaways
- Direct iPhone-to-iPhone charging is not possible.
- The most reliable way to “charge” an iPhone with another is by using a power bank as an intermediary.
- Avoid using third-party accessories that claim to enable direct iPhone-to-iPhone charging, as they can be unreliable and potentially harmful.
- Plan ahead and keep a power bank or charging cable on hand to avoid being caught with a dead battery.
While the idea of simply sharing battery life between iPhones is appealing, the technology and design limitations make it impossible. The current reliable solution involves the use of a power bank, so it is always better to have one handy when facing low battery scenarios.